nostal(DC)ia

I move to Boston next week. After spending just about 3 months shy of 5 years in the suburban Washington DC, the capital of United States. Well alright, I never really lived in Washington DC and I probably visited the city only once in a month or two on an average. But needless to say, I have created some very long lasting memories in the last 5 years. A lot of friends have been asking me to name a few places that I would particularly miss in DC. I try to name a few and then the list grows so long that I have had to give up on every occasion.

I moved to this area in August 2005. For the first year or so, I hated this place (aptly represented by the first post on my blog). Eventually I made my friends and started enjoying myself to some extent. But my love for the city didn't quite develop until I had spent about 2 years here. Since then, every new place I visit has been a discovery. Today, while returning from my most favorite drive (to and from the Chesapeake bay bridge near Annapolis), I realized how much I am going to miss it once I move. I then decided to get over my restraining order and list my top 10 things to do in DC. So here goes:

10. Cornerstone: Our most favorite friendly neighborhood bar in College Park! Most waitresses here remember me and my colleague Wojciech so well that on more than one occasion, we have gotten our drinks even before we placed the order. Its hard to point to the reason. I don't know if it is our regularity or out tipping style that got us there. Either way, cornerstone is one of those places that will be sorely missed...

9. The National Mall: Yes! It is the indeed the most touristy place in the entire city. But it is also one of the best people watching places during the summers. I have spent numerous days during the spring just hanging out all by myself with a book in my hand and lying on the grass. (The book was obviously hardly being read). Cherry blossom is a wonderful time to be here too. It is one of those rare occasions when you can actually walk a part of the mall with a beer in your hand. Two words! Positive energy!

8. Hot Breads: I know three outlets for this popular chain in the DC area. But my favorite is in Herndon, Va. One of those rare indian "fast food" outlets. It is an excellent place to get idlis on a Saturday/Sunday morning. It will fill you up just about right so that you are satisfied while not feeling too stuffed. AND, it has one of the best mango lassis in town!

7. Zoo Bar: One of my most favorite live music places in town. Wojciech introduced me to this bar about a year ago when one of his friend's band, The Roustabouts, were playing here. Since then, I have gone there on quite a few Saturdays. Finding parking nearby has been one of my pet peeves. But in the past few months, I have overcome my fear and have been religiously going every third Saturday when The Roustabouts are playing. I go there again tomorrow evening!

6. Bethesda downtown: One of my most favorite places to hang out on a regular weekday or on a lazy weekend! There is loads to do here. You could watch a movie in Betheda row, hang out at Barnes and Noble, have coffee at Le Pain, have a drink and listen to some live music at RiRa-The Irish Pub, have dinner at the Thai corner or just simply walk around! There is always something going on to keep you entertained. The most favorite part of my visit here used to be finding quarters for parking in my most favorite parking spot (just opposite BNB).

5. Eggspectations: Eggs are obviously the most preferred breakfast item that can ever be invented! I can not recount the number of consecutive weekend mornings we have shown up at my most favorite Brunch place! The freshly squeezed orange juice that is served here could very well be the best thing that has ever happened to mankind on a hungover weekend morning!

4. Georgetown: Brunch at eggspectations has been followed up by beer in Georgetown water front almost every single time. This place is super lively during the regular spring/summer months and has been extremely inviting during every single trip my friend Vivek has made to this area. My cousin Aiswarya has been pestering me to take her to the Bubble tea place in Georgetown ever since she once accidentally heard about its existence from me! Unfortunately that opportunity has not presented itself yet! I am not too hopeful about that happening anytime soon! Apart from that, there are some very amusing "corona" stories that we have immensely enjoyed on warm sunny weekend days!

3. Beltway: Nights, after 11 pm! Between exits 34 and 30! The best possible drive in the city! I have spent numerous evenings driving back home from my friends' place in Rockville. The overall drive (total 10 miles) takes about 20 minutes. Out of which 6 miles are on the Beltway. Those 6 miles have almost always taken not more than 5 minutes! Loved every minute of it!!!

2. Chesapeake Bay Bridge near Annapolis: No explanations required! I have already dedicated an entire blog post to this topic!

1. The lab: During the last year of my undergrad, I spent countless nights in the CAM lab. I still cherish those nights. I remember when I used to show up at 9 pm, make a few local phone calls to my cousin Aiswarya who was then in Bombay and then start working and continue till 5/6 am! I used to think that it would be impossible to up that! Along came the erstwhile Manufacturing Automation Lab, now called Advanced Manufacturing Lab. This place has been my most reliable companion on so many long nights for the past 5 years of my life. The restless marches up and down the lab aisles at 2 am while writing some paper, the sound of the compressor turning itself on to replenish the air supply for the pneumatic tool changer on the CNC machine, the continuous humming sound of the vacuum pump which when turned off makes the place eerily silent, the plastic bottle which was used to keep the building door open when I stepped out of the building for a stroll late into the night.....

The one thing that strikes me the most is that apart from my love for my work/lab, most things worth remembering about the city I have lived in for 5 formative years of my life revolve around either drinking or driving. I guess I should be fine as long as they don't both happen together...... ;)